A/N: A few chapters (this one included) are a little on the short side, but others will make up for it.

Chapter 2

The empty chair at the head of the table was a silent reminder of Jack's absence, and the three remaining members of SG-1 avoided looking at it while they waited for the briefing to start.

Sam paced back and forth in front of the window, too angry to sit still. "I can't believe he just left like that."

Daniel shrugged, trying to rationalize Jack's odd behavior for Sam's sake. "You know he doesn't like pomp and circumstance."

"But he likes cake." There was the faintest hint of desperation in Sam's voice as she gazed down at the Stargate. "We would've had cake."

There was no answer to that, and Daniel took refuge in his coffee.

"In Jaffa society it is not unusual for an aging warrior to choose to die alone," Teal'c said.

Sam spun around, and she and Daniel stared at Teal'c, aghast.

Daniel found his voice first. "He's not dying, Teal'c."

"And he isn't…" Sam almost choked on the word, "aging."

Teal'c didn't look convinced.

Sam turned to Daniel. "Are you sure he didn't say anything else?"

Daniel shook his head. "Sorry, Sam."

The door opened and General Landry came in, effectively ending the conversation and bringing Daniel and Teal'c to their feet.

"At ease, people."

The four of them sat down, and for a few moments there was much shuffling of paper and clicking of pens as the group prepared for the briefing.

"Before we begin," Landry said, "I want the three of you to know that I realize how difficult this is."

Sam and Daniel exchanged a doubtful glance.

"This change of command is both sudden and unexpected," Landry continued. "I want to assure you that I'm not looking to upset any apple carts. For now at least, activities here at the SGC will continue the way they always have."

"Yes, Sir." Sam's voice was subdued, but relieved. Daniel and Teal'c settled for nods.

"Now," Landry went on, "if you'll open your briefing folders, we'll get busy."

Much later, Sam sat in her lab, toying absently with a screwdriver while her mind wandered. After those few words, the briefing had been…well… normal. The rest of the day had also been altogether normal. Things were as they always had been, except for one thing. Jack was gone. His seat at the conference table – empty. His seat in the commissary – also empty. His gentle gibes and self-deprecating humor – absent. Everything was the same as it had always been, only not.

A pile of half-finished reports lay in a jumble next to her computer, the screen of which had long since switched to power saver mode. She knew she needed to get something done, but every time she tried to work she ended up thinking about Jack. With a sudden curse, she threw the screwdriver across the room.

"Whoa there." Daniel ducked just in time to avoid getting his nose pierced. He peered cautiously at her from the safe side of the door frame. "Hey, Sam."

"Hey, Daniel. Sorry about that."

She must not have sounded very convincing, because he kept a close eye on her as he edged further into the room.

"Everything okay?" He asked.

She made an unconvincing attempt at a smile. "Yeahsureyoubetcha,"

"It's weird without him around, isn't it."

"Ya think?"

Daniel ignored her sarcasm. "Give it time, Sam."

"Give what time? Him? His replacement? The general weirdness of his sudden disappearance?" She knew she didn't have to name the 'him' she was referring to. Daniel was a bright guy.

"D. All of the above."

She huffed angrily. "He had no right to do this."

"This is Jack we're talking about. Predictability isn't exactly his stock in trade." He leaned a shoulder against the open door. "Are you really so surprised?"

She sighed in resignation. "I guess not." She interrupted his nod. "But that doesn't mean I have to like it."

He grinned a little at that. "I wouldn't expect you to."

"So now what?" Sam asked. The question was rhetorical. There was only one possible answer, and they both knew it.

He shrugged a shoulder. "Now we get back to doing what we do best, I guess."

"Exploring the galaxy, cheating death, and occasionally saving the planet, you mean?"

Daniel's smile was lopsided. "Yeahsureyoubetcha."